Noise, unruly neighbors top Portage Park concerns

An overcrowded house on West Hutchinson was the source of
yelling and loud music and for a time had a goat living on the
roof, Portage Park residents attending Wednesday's
CAPS meeting for beat 1624 reported.

Theresa Rowe, who lives across the alley, said neighbors reported seeing people in her yard while she was
away. After one incident, she found gang signs on her property and
a half-full gasoline can next to her garage. Police arrested Jacob Jeffries, 18, and Carlos Rivera, 19, for criminal
trespass and resisting a police officer, respectively.

Bridget O'Leary introduced herself as the new owner of the Xcala
Lounge, which had been the subject of complaints about noise and
unruly customers at a prior meeting. She told residents she has hired two people
to work security and moved loudspeakers away from the walls.
Neighbor Mark Cassity said he still hears noise from
Xcala, but police said they have received no complaints.

In response to complaints last month, 16th district police are
offering assistance to homeless people in the Six Corners business
district at Irving Park and Cicero, and have asked the vice unit to
investigate teenagers asking adults to purchase alcohol outside of
Savoy Food & Liquor at 4138 N. Milwaukee.

Noise problems are a continuing source of complaints. Police
advised residents to call about noise problems that continue after
10 p.m.

In response to concerns about police
response, community organizer John Eischen advised
residents to call in every occurrence of a problem, because the
history of complaints helps set police priorities. "The more that
you call, the quicker you get service."

The 16th district police
station will host a haunted house from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., tomorrow through Tuesday. The event will feature some "very strange police officers," Eischen said.

Police also reminded residents to watch out for egg throwing as Halloween approaches.